Malbran is the fly that catches everything. Created by Ramiro Garcia Malbràn and tied with simple and cheap materials it's the ideal fly for fierce predators like dorado, pike and bass.

I tied the first version of this fly in 1994 to use it in the Parana River, searching for Dorados, Cachorras,Trairas, Piranhas and other predators of these waters.

I made it to imitate a mojarra - a typical bait fish of South America. It has a flat and high profile and all predators here love it, but it has also given me great results in the Baltic with pike and perch and in the Caribbean with snook and baby tarpon.

My friends call the fly Malbran. My name is Garcia Malbràn - with an accent over the last a.

Some of the important aspects of this fly (in my opinion) are the relative rigid body giving vibrations and turbulence combined with a mobile tail.

Depending the waters I adapt length and stiffness of the tail. For rapid waters I use a short and stiffer tail, for slow waters and lakes I use a longer and softer tail.
I change the form of the body too, according to the the baitfish present in the river.
If I need less flashy flies I tie the back with another material like Fish Fuzz, EP fibres, synthetic hair or bucktail.

Malbran fish

Ramiro Malbran - Ramiro Garcia Malbràn

Materials

I tie this fly with Christmas decorations.
For the tail I use Flashabou or similar (more movement).

Christmas ornaments

Organza and flash

Organza fibers

Picking fibers

Ramiro Garcia Malbràn

Preparing the fibers

The fibers are twisted (with my fingers) to reflect ligth in all directions.

Preparation 1

Preparation 2

Preparation 3

Preparation 4

Ramiro Garcia Malbràn

Flat fly

Ramiro Garcia Malbràn

Building the body

The fibers are added a small bunch at the time, stacked on top and on the bottom of the hook shank and finally trimmed to get a sharply defined body shape.

Original Malbran - step-by-step

The first is the original Malbran all made with silver Christmas decorations for the body and more soft and mobile fibers for the tail (Flashabou or similar).

Building a body 1

Building a body 2

Building a body 3

Building a body 4

Building a body 5

Building a body 6

Building a body 7

Building a body 8

Building a body 9

Ramiro Garcia Malbràn

Green Malbran - step-by-step

The second recipe is a Malbran made in two colors. I use green for the back. These fibers are more soft that the silver decorations because of that i put some stiff silver fibers mixed with them to make a stiffer body.

Comments

sorry to answer so late. but my job kept me busy. Well the big Streamers work well with all kind of XMas Lametta on hook and tube, the trout Version is too much time consuming, so I use the the fluff ones or the hard body of epoxy with a tinsel tail. The small ones on a hook and not on tube. If I am lucky I will have a Project in Mauritius - if so your streamers will be with me
thight lines
Pit

I have fished with Ramiro and his fly is a real killer. I was skeptic at first because we all think fish do not like so much shine and glitter, but he proved me wrong. I am looking forward to our next fishing together!

I made one on a large Hook and tested it in the waterbassin. It jigs wonderfully and it sparkles like a discobowle. A real great idea. I used XMas lametta for the body and tinsel for the tail. I started to make this fly on tubes now. Even for troutsizes.
tight lines
Pit

Thanks Tom !!!here in France is snowing too !!good wheather for tying flies!!!
If you ever need some tips or some materials don't hesitate to contact me. I have plenty at home from the last Christmas.... I can send you some by the post.
Will be great to try the malbran with Holland pikes!!!
Best regards
Ramiro

Great flies Ramiro, they look very good with all that glitter and shine.
When I see the pictures of all the different species , I think that those flies are pretty good !
For sure I am going to tie some, maybe this afternoon, because at the moment of writing this, it is snowing outside my door here in Holland and the world is totally white !